Supports for christmas tree light cords



Feb. 3, 1959 R. WEST SUPPORTS FOR CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHT CORDS Filed March 1, 1956 INVENTOR. RUTH WEST PARKER 8- CARTER ATTORNEYS White My invention relates to improvements in supports for assembled Christmas tree light cords or the like.

Inasmuch as Christmas tree lights usually consist of light bulbs assembled on electric cords, either in series or in parallel in a continuous manner on electric cords, with the cords extending from a single attachment or contact plug, it is quite inconvenient to store such assembled bulbs when not in use without first removing the light bulbs, or else presenting the hazard of having the bulbs broken when coming in contact with one another. It is also difficult to keep the cords from becoming tangled when placed in a limited space for storing.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a simple inexpensive support which will permit storage of the light bulbs and their connecting cords and sockets without removing the bulbs from the sockets and without danger of having the cords tangle, thereby providing a convenient compact unit, easy to store and transport.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for protecting the light bulb by supporting them on the inside of the support by suspending them apart from one another, and away from outside contact.

Another object is to provide a device of the character described which will permit the cords of wire to be wound around its outer periphery, for ease in applying or removing.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device which may be marketed in a flat state, for ease in shipping and transporting, and one which may be assembled for use with a minimum of eifort.

Other and further objects of my invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the unit assembled in a cylindrical tube, ready to apply the Christmas tree light assembly;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the unit shown in Figure 1, before it is assembled in tubular form;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a section of the tube, showing a modified manner of assembly;

Figure 4 is a top or plan view of a section of the tube as shown in Figure 1, showing the staples or fasteners extending through the vertical, inwardly extending ends placed adjacent to one another; and

Figure 5 is a cross-section of the assembled unit as shown in Figure l, with the Christmas tree light assembly wound around its outer periphery, and showing the lamp sockets and their bulbs extending inward, separated from one another to prevent damage thereto.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and referring now to the same, 10 indicates a fiat sheet of material such as cardboard, plastic, metal or the like. The sheet 18 is shown scored at 11, near two oppositely disposed edges, so the portion of the sheet between the edge and the scoring may be bent inward as shown at 12 in Figures 1 and 5. Small aperatures 13 are disposed along these inwardly disposed sections, for the adaption of staples or split fasteners 14 in the apertures 13, for retaining the sheet 10 in a cylindrical form when assembled.

A plurality of apertures 15 of suitable size and shape to permit conventional lamp bulbs and their sockets to be fitted therein, are punched through the sheet 10. These apertures are shown in staggered relation to one another, but the arrangement or spacing of the apertures 15 may be in any convenient manner.

Extending inward from one edge of the sheet 10 is shown an open slot 16 to accommodate the attaching plug 17 of a string of Christmas tree lights. The sheet 10 is formed in a generally cylindrical form, and held in position by means of the fasteners 14 inserted in the apertures 13. The ends of the sheet 10 may be folded inward at the scores 11 as shown in Figure l, or may be overlapped as shown in Figure 3. When the sheet 10 is assembled in tubular form as shown, the electric cords 18 are disposed within the open slot 16, the interior of the assembled tube is open throughout its length, and the outer periphery of the assembled tube is exposed to the exterior throughout its length, as shown in Figure 5.

When the tree light assembly is to be stored the end of the cord 18 may be inserted in slot 16 with the plug 17 inside of the tubular enclosure. The cords 18 may be wrapped spirally around the exposed outer periphery of the assembled tube, and the light bulbs 19 with their sockets 20 may be inserted successively in convenient apertures 15. In this manner the bulbs 19 extend inward into the tube, where they are maintained in spaced relation to each other, to avoid contact with one another, and are thus protected from harm.

The device is simple in construction, easy to assemble, and provides a convenient means of accomplishing the function for which it is intended.

Although I have shown and described a certain embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the exact construction shown and described, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A protective support and an assembled Christmas tree light bulb and cord package including an elongated generally cylindrical body having the outer surface thereof exposed, a Christmas tree light bulb cord wrapped around the body, a plurality of axially spaced rows of apertures as in the body, said apertures being of a size such as to permit the bulbs and sockets of the cord to be individually passed into the apertures, each individual bulb and socket of said cord being supported within an aperture, the spacing of the rows and apertures being such as to hold the bulbs and sockets Within the body, in spaced relation to each other, said body including means for securing the plug of the cord.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said means includes a slot formed in said body and ext nding axially thereof, the plug end of the cord being received in the slot with the plug also projecting into said body.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein the body consists of a piece of sheet material, having a fastening means at opposite ends thereof for assembling said fiat piece into its cylindrical form,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Longfellow Aug. 8, 1950 Patented Feb. 3, 1959 

